Under the vast Dubai skyline, Friday, 2 January at Dubai Racing Club’s Meydan Racecourse will usher in another compelling chapter of Dubai’s 2025-2026 season. Anticipation will ripple through the grandstands long before the gates open, with the spotlight firmly fixed on the feature event of the night — Race 6, the Zabeel Mile Sponsored by Phi Advertising, a prestigious 1600m contest carrying a rich AED 850,000 prize purse. It will be the race around which the entire card revolves, promising class, speed, and a statement of intent from some of the region’s finest milers.
The curtain will rise at 17:30 with Race 1, the Zabeel Turf Sponsored by Binghatti (R1), a 2000m event that will set the tone for the evening. With AED 300,000 on offer, this opening race is expected to test stamina early and give racegoers a first taste of competitive intensity on the Meydan surface. It will be followed swiftly at 18:05 by Race 2, Binghatti (R2), a sharp 1200m sprint worth AED 190,000, where early pace and tactical speed are likely to dominate the narrative.
Momentum will continue to build at 18:40 with Race 3, ARN (R3), another 1200m dash but with the stakes raised to AED 300,000. As daylight fades, the atmosphere is expected to grow more electric, especially heading into Race 4, the Jumeirah Stakes Sponsored by The Jockey Club (R4) at 19:15. Contested over 1400m and offering AED 300,000, this race is set to blend speed with balance, often serving as a key indicator of form for the weeks ahead.
The tempo of the evening will surge at 19:50 with Race 5, the Dubawi Stakes Sponsored by France Galop (R5). Over 1200m and boasting a substantial AED 700,000 prize pool, this contest is expected to be one of the most fiercely fought sprints of the night, drawing attention from both local and international racing followers.
All roads, however, will lead to 20:25, when the gates open for Race 6, the Zabeel Mile Sponsored by Phi Advertising (R6). Run over 1600m and crowned by AED 850,000, this highlight race will be the emotional and competitive peak of the card. The Zabeel Mile is poised to demand tactical brilliance, sustained speed, and mental toughness, with reputations ready to be enhanced and future campaigns shaped under Meydan’s iconic lights.
The closing stages of the meeting will carry their own intrigue. At 21:00, Race 7, the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Sponsored by Churchill Downs (R7) over 1400m and worth AED 300,000 will offer an important glimpse into emerging Classic prospects, making it a race rich in future significance. Finally, endurance will take center stage at 21:35 with Race 8, ZOHO (R8), a demanding 2810m contest carrying AED 300,000, ensuring the night ends with a true test of grit and staying power.
For racing fans eager to plan their evening, the full Meydan racecards 2 January reveal a night packed with 8 thrilling contests, highlighted by the feature Zabeel Mile and other top sprints. For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to Racebuzz.